Refugee rights supporters protest at Kirribilli House

JOHN HOWARD BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!

Perth refugee rights supporters protest at Kirribilli House - by Kirribilli Indymedia    

Amongst the peaceful action at Kirribilli House in Sydney today, six Perth refugee rights advocates have staged a demonstration against John Howard's blatant violations of the UN convention on refugees. Over-zealous police pushed the group onto the footpath, confiscated their signage and video-taped the protest...

The action was part of a series of rolling protests by refugee advocates in Sydney, this time focusing on the Prime Minister's residence.

Today around a hundred people gathered across the road at the PM's Sydney home, Kirribilli House - despite the Prime Minister being in Canberra. Activists on the scene report a strong and hostile police presence.

Dressed all in white and covered in red paint to symbolise blood on John Howard's hands, the WA crew attempted to present a massive card, displaying the Howard government's illegal and inhumane treatment of refugees, to the residents of Kirribilli.

Whilst noone from Kirribilli House would accept the presentation, a resident of Kirribilli Avenue promised to deliver it on behalf of the residents of the street.

Police, keeping the group to the opposite side of the street, took the sign and disappeared with it!

More information and Photos soon...

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On Friday the crew marched to the gates of the Holsworthy Army Base in southern Sydney and yesterday they protested outside the Villawood detention centre. The group camped in bushland near the complex.

The ABC reports that the protest at Kirribilli was peaceful but a police spokesperson said one person was arrested on their way to the rallly for confronting police.

Jamal Daoud from the Refugee Action Coalition says the protesters' message will still be heard. "[The Prime Minister] will hear the message that we are against excising all Australia from migration zone," he said. "We are against the violation of human rights and international law..."

He also says an apparent act of self harm yesterday by a detainee being held at Holsworthy shows the damaging nature of detention centres.

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Edited from the Corporate Media

Protesters rally near Kirribilli House

JOHN HOWARD BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!

The protesters earlier marched through the streets of Kirribilli, on Sydney's north shore, calling on the federal government to free refugees from detention and wind back tough new border security measures.

JOHN HOWARD BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!

A 37-year-old man was arrested for abusing a police officer and taken to North Sydney police station, police say. Another activist was involved in a heated exchange with a riot squad officer as police forced protesters to the footpath across the road from the prime minister's residence.

RELOCATE VANSTONE: FREE THE REFUGEES!

Mounted police, Pol Air and both specialist riot and uniformed police were all on hand for the demonstration.

Speakers at the rally outside Kirribilli House, including Islamic community spokesman Keysar Trad, commented on the police presence.

"I'm inspired by the overwhelming police presence today and I have a proposition to give to them," Mr Trad said. "We, as a nation, elected a government to represent us, we elected a government to be truthful to us and to take up our issues. So surely these police who are present today, who are supposedly protecting us, can go and arrest that government and bring it to justice."

JOHN HOWARD BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!

Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul called on the federal opposition to reverse the "iron curtain" legislation announced by the government this week, which he said effectively closed Australia's borders to asylum seekers.

"Everybody here is absolutely committed and determined to see the end of the Howard government," Mr Rintoul said. "But we are not content to get rid of the Howard government and have a look-a-like pale image take its place. Now (Labor) have got the opportunity to put the cards on the table ... by making it very clear, that there is a policy alternative at the next election."

Protests are also planned for Melbourne and Perth today, an international day of action in support of asylum seekers.

JOHN HOWARD BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!

On Saturday, two Villawood detention centre detainees were taken to hospital. One who had swallowed razor blades remains in a stable condition.

The pair are among 260 detainees temporarily moved out of Villawood after an asbestos scare.

JOHN HOWARD BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS!